By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
A superb all-around effort by Bryan Webb vaulted Bishop Feehan past a pesky Bishop Stang squad, 21-3, in an Eastern Athletic Conference contest. Webb picked off three passes – returning one for an interception – while rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
The Shamrocks turned the ball over three times the first half, including their first possession when they fumbled and lost the ball after a 60-yard drive. Webb immediately intercepted a pass on the Spartans' first play and six plays later bolted free for a 42-yard score.
The Spartans' only score came after Andy Armstrong intercepted a pass. Armstrong's 54-yard run helped get the Spartans to the Shamrocks' 18. But Bishop Feehan held and Mike St. Ours kicked a 34-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 7-3 at halftime.
Webb made his last interception and dashed down the sideline for a 51-yard return early in the third quarter and followed up with a 7-yard run on a right sweep in the final period.
Ted Schwieger added 54 yards on nine carries and caught three passes from quarterback Tommy Romero.
Shamrocks Outlook
Head coach Tony Wood, in his third year after building St. John's (Shrewsbury) into a central Massachusetts power, guided Bishop Feehan to a Division 2 Super Bowl title last year, the school's fifth in the last seven years.
"Last year's group was very explosive with great athletic players," Wood said. "This year's squad is a lunch-bucket group that is really buying into what we're doing."
Webb has already been credited with eight takeaways and is on track to break the school record (11).
“He makes great plays on defense and was a backup at running back until an injury to another player put him in a starting role,” Wood said. “And he has improved so much it will be tough to move him out of there now."
Romero, a junior, is in his first year at quarterback.
"He is very bright, has a great arm and continues to improve," Wood said of his signal caller.
In addition to Webb, other offensive standouts include split end Brian Gallagher and Schweiger at fullback.
Success on the offensive and defensive side of the lines has hinged on solid two-way contributions players like co-captain Pat Beksha, Nick Vilandre, Joe Knaub, Andy Nunes and two pairs of twins – Dan and Tom Effler and Nick and Kyle Cataldo.
"We're getting a lot of takeaways and not giving up big plays," Wood said.
Bishop Feehan’s only loss came to Rhode Island’s Barrington, 28-0. Wood’s squad has yielded just 33 points to in-state competition.
Around the State
Quarterback Joe Kummer engineered three scoring drives in the second half to help North Attleboro come from behind against King Philip in a 20-17 win…Four different players scored a touchdown as Medfield surprised Norton, 28-14…Shawn Doherty scored on runs of 25 and 28 yards to help Mansfield remain unbeaten in Hockomock League play with a 34-16 win over Canton…Ryan Izzo ran for three touchdowns to help Walpole remain unbeaten with a 38-7 win over Dedham…Natick also stayed perfect with a 28-6 win over Milton. Walpole and Natick are slated to play Nov. 14…Matt Grimard ran for six touchdowns and threw for another to lead Dracut to a runaway 47-16 win over Billerica in Middlesex Valley Conference play. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior totaled over 300 yards offensively…Trevor Marcotte rushed for three touchdowns to push unbeaten Wahconah Regional over Pittsfield 40-0. The Warriors have allowed just 33 points all season…Hoosac Valley shutout St. Joseph Central, 28-0, to set up a showdown with Wahconah Regional this week…Quarterback John Giacobbe threw a pair of long touchdown passes to lead Medway past Dover-Sherborn, 40-13…Abington preserved its perfect record with a 40-20 win over Hull in South Shore Conference action…After a bye week, Catholic Memorial faces a daunting three-week schedule that includes St. John’s Prep on Saturday at home, Xaverian at home Nov. 14 and Boston College High on the road Thanksgiving Day…Sean Sylvia returned to action and piled up 242 all-purpose yards for Dartmouth in a 21-7 win New Bedford…Arthur Lynch-Fontaine of Dartmouth has been selected to play in the Under Armour All-Star game Jan. 4, 2009. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end/defensive end is committed to the University of Georgia.
